Everything You Need to Know for the Grey Cup Santa Claus Parade

Members the Ottawa Redblacks huddle following a team practice in Winnipeg, Man., Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015. The Redblacks will play the Edmonton Eskimos in the 103rd Grey Cup on Sunday. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)

When two parades are merged into one giant parade, you know it’s time for a party.

This year’s Winnipeg Santa Claus Parade is a little different than previous years, as it also encompasses the Grey Cup Parade. It’s officially called the Grey Cup Festival Santa Claus Parade and will fill Winnipeg’s downtown streets on Saturday.

The celebration is a lead up to the big game on Sunday between the Ottawa Redblacks and Edmonton Eskimos at Investors Group Field.

But before the Grey Cup is held, more than 50,000 people are expected to attend the parade and Grey Cup-related festival events. That doesn’t include the estimated 30,000 households expected to watch the parade live on Shaw TV.

Edmonton Eskimos Kacy Rodgers, left, and Michael Carter leave the field following a team practice session in Winnipeg on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods)

Besides the usual block parties along the Portage Avenue parade route, Grey Cup Festival organizers have their own festivities planned, including representation from all nine CFL teams.

The grand marshals this year are “Dancing Gabe” Gabriel Langlois and Winnipeg Blue Bomber alumni and hall-of-famer former cornerback Rod Hill.

Volunteers from the Christmas Cheer Board will be picking up items along the parade route. Those wishing to donate should bring a non-perishable food item or new unwrapped gifts to the parade.

More than 2,000 participants are accompanying the 106 parade entries, with help from some 800 volunteers. The parade begins at 4:30 p.m.

Road closures

Starting at 2 p.m.:

Portage Avenue will be closed from Sherbrook Street to Main Street

Portage Avenue East will be closed from Main Street to Westbrook Street